Details of REVOLVING LOAN FUND WITH MFIs/BANKS

2.    GENERAL CONDITIONS AND CLAUSES

2.1.  CARE’S GENERAL CONDITIONS

The enclosed document is not an offer to contract, but a solicitation of a vendor’s proposed intent. Acceptance of a proposal in no way commits CARE to award a contract for any or all products and services to any vendor.

CARE reserves the right to make the following decisions and actions based on its business interests and for reasons known only to CARE:

•       To determine whether the information provided does or does not substantially comply with the requirements of the RFP.

•       To contact any bidder after proposal submittal for clarification of any information provided.

•       To waive any or all formalities of bidding 

•       To accept or reject a proposal in whole or part without justification to the bidder.

•       To not accept the lowest bid

•       To negotiate with one or more bidders in respect to any aspect of the submitted proposal.

•       To award another type of contract other than that described herein, or to award no contract.

•       To enter into a contract or agreement for purchase with parties not responding to this

RFP

•       To request, at its sole discretion, selected Vendors to provide a more detailed presentation of the proposal.

•       To not share the results of the bids with other bidders and to award contracts based on whatever is in the best interest of CARE.

Any material statements made orally or in writing in response to this RFP or in response to requests for additional information will be considered offers to contract and should be included by the vendor in any final contract.

2.2.    CONFIDENTIALITY/ NON-DISCLOSURE

All information gained by any vendor concerning CARE work practices is not to be disclosed to anyone outside those responsible for the preparation of this proposal. Any discussion by the vendor of CARE’s business practices could be a reason for disqualification. CARE, at their discretion, reserves the right to request a non-disclosure agreement.

Skills and qualifications

5.  Eligibility Criteria for MFIs/Banks:

•       Must be a reputable, legally registered financial institution in Somaliland.

•       Must have operational presence in Burao.

•       Relevant experience in facilitating transactions, implemented Revolving Loan Fund activ-ities, and other economic empowerment activities in the past with NGOs.

•       Ability to provide alternative banking services, such as mobile banking, for remote areas, whereby remote villages with limited access to physical financial institutions could access and do transactions digitally.

•       Experience in implementing Micro-finance related activities or experience working with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on vulnerable communities (small business owners). 

•       The MFI/bank should have capacity to offer gender-sensitive financial products, especially for women-led enterprises, or be willing to develop women friendly loan products.

6.  Requirements

•       Proven experience in providing financial services to MSMEs in Burao

•       Legal registration and compliance with the Central Bank of Somaliland and have a pres-ence in the target location (Burco).

•       Ability to engage effectively with small businesses and economic groups in the target area.

•       Ability to work effectively and deliver all reports in English

9. Evaluation Criteria:

The Selection of the firm (MFI or bank) will be made based on cumulative analysis (i.e., mandatory requirement and technical qualifications, financial evaluation as follows:

Mandatory Requirements:

Applicants must submit the following documents as part of the application:

•       Valid business license

•       Valid Tax Clearance Certificate

•       Company’s Profile

•       Three (3) examples of similar contracts demonstrating relevant experience.

Applications without mandatory requirements will not be considered

How to apply

This Request for Proposal represents the requirements for an open and competitive process.

All vendors must provide written notification via email to Som.bids@care.org of their intent to participate, or not to participate in the bidding process on 13th March 2025

Apply to Som.bids@care.org 

2.    GENERAL CONDITIONS AND CLAUSES

2.1.  CARE’S GENERAL CONDITIONS

The enclosed document is not an offer to contract, but a solicitation of a vendor’s proposed intent. Acceptance of a proposal in no way commits CARE to award a contract for any or all products and services to any vendor.

CARE reserves the right to make the following decisions and actions based on its business interests and for reasons known only to CARE:

•       To determine whether the information provided does or does not substantially comply with the requirements of the RFP.

•       To contact any bidder after proposal submittal for clarification of any information provided.

•       To waive any or all formalities of bidding 

•       To accept or reject a proposal in whole or part without justification to the bidder.

•       To not accept the lowest bid

•       To negotiate with one or more bidders in respect to any aspect of the submitted proposal.

•       To award another type of contract other than that described herein, or to award no contract.

•       To enter into a contract or agreement for purchase with parties not responding to this

RFP

•       To request, at its sole discretion, selected Vendors to provide a more detailed presentation of the proposal.

•       To not share the results of the bids with other bidders and to award contracts based on whatever is in the best interest of CARE.

Any material statements made orally or in writing in response to this RFP or in response to requests for additional information will be considered offers to contract and should be included by the vendor in any final contract.

2.2.    CONFIDENTIALITY/ NON-DISCLOSURE

All information gained by any vendor concerning CARE work practices is not to be disclosed to anyone outside those responsible for the preparation of this proposal. Any discussion by the vendor of CARE’s business practices could be a reason for disqualification. CARE, at their discretion, reserves the right to request a non-disclosure agreement.

Skills and qualifications

5.  Eligibility Criteria for MFIs/Banks:

•       Must be a reputable, legally registered financial institution in Somaliland.

•       Must have operational presence in Burao.

•       Relevant experience in facilitating transactions, implemented Revolving Loan Fund activ-ities, and other economic empowerment activities in the past with NGOs.

•       Ability to provide alternative banking services, such as mobile banking, for remote areas, whereby remote villages with limited access to physical financial institutions could access and do transactions digitally.

•       Experience in implementing Micro-finance related activities or experience working with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on vulnerable communities (small business owners). 

•       The MFI/bank should have capacity to offer gender-sensitive financial products, especially for women-led enterprises, or be willing to develop women friendly loan products.

6.  Requirements

•       Proven experience in providing financial services to MSMEs in Burao

•       Legal registration and compliance with the Central Bank of Somaliland and have a pres-ence in the target location (Burco).

•       Ability to engage effectively with small businesses and economic groups in the target area.

•       Ability to work effectively and deliver all reports in English

9. Evaluation Criteria:

The Selection of the firm (MFI or bank) will be made based on cumulative analysis (i.e., mandatory requirement and technical qualifications, financial evaluation as follows:

Mandatory Requirements:

Applicants must submit the following documents as part of the application:

•       Valid business license

•       Valid Tax Clearance Certificate

•       Company’s Profile

•       Three (3) examples of similar contracts demonstrating relevant experience.

How to apply

This Request for Proposal represents the requirements for an open and competitive process.

All vendors must provide written notification via email to Som.bids@care.org of their intent to participate, or not to participate in the bidding process on 13th March 2025

Apply to Som.bids@care.org